When Woolman presented his certificate or Minute from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in London, he was, at first, coldly received. However, a soon as he spoke, his spirit and devotion were recognized, and London Yearly Meeting, for the first time in its history, included a statement condemning slavery in its Epistle.' (Pamphlet).
In September, 1772, Woolman fell sick with smallpox. He died on October 7, 1772. 'It was recorded that in his last hours his mind was full of 'the happiness, the safety, and the beauty of a life devoted to following the Heavenly Shepherd.'( Pamphlet). As we read these writings today, we realize how much he helped in guiding the thoughts and the struggle of the Religious Society of Friends. 'It was difficult to disregard a man who woreconspicuous white [unbleached] clothes rather than use dyes which had to be produced by slave labor. John Woolman was the gentle conscience of Quakerism.' (Pamphlet).
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